A Storm that will wreck a world threatens Dematr. Only Mari, one of the Mechanics who control all technology through their Guild, has a chance to stop it.
She and Mage Alain have survived numerous attempts to kill them and have gained many more followers, but the Storm of chaos, born of centuries of enslavement, grows ever closer.
Mari leads an army now. She and Alain must fight together to bind back the Broken Kingdom and build a force strong enough to defeat the might of the Great Guilds. But the Storm has many Servants who seek to preserve or gain personal power or wealth, or fear the New Day that Mari seeks to bring to the world.
And Mari knows that victory will mean nothing if the precious knowledge brought long ago to their world is destroyed. In order to save it, Alain and Mari will have to pierce through the heart of their enemies' power and confront once more a place of ancient nightmare.

​The Servants of the Storm by Jack Campbell is the fifth book in The Pillars of Reality series. The novel was originally published by Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio but has since become available in e-book and paperback formats as well. Its use of magic and interesting sci-fi twists make it unique to its genres. In this particular installment tensions are rising among commons as the Storm approaches. Amongst the chaos and battles Alain must struggle to protect Mari against an unknown foe that threatens to take her life. Meanwhile Mari must attempt to fix her relationship with her father and raise an army that is capable of challenging the great guilds.
This novel takes on a darker tone than the previous books in the series which I enjoyed. The shift in tone led to an enormous but steady buildup of tension throughout the novel. Mari and Alain once again find themselves pitted aganst the Great Guilds, the Imperials, assassins, dark mages and of course dark mechanics. The fifth installment also continues the person vs society conflict theme seen throughout its prequels. The Servants of the Storm incorporates elements of Fantasy and Romance while balancing it out with a nice dose of Science Fiction. The novel teaches the reader many things, the most important perhaps being that you should never give up on your family. Mari and Alains chemistry both with each other and other characters becomes very strong as each character struggles in his or her own way.
Written for a New Adult audience, the fifth installment to The Pillars of Reality builds tension and pulls at the readers emotions. Even the most sinister of characters does not act without reason, this creates a thought provoking scene and probably a startled reader. I would recommend this book to teens and adults especially readers who are fans of the Fantasy or Sci-Fi genres. As the second to last book in the series, this novel does a wonderful job of keeping the reader on the edge of his or her seat, all the while setting up for an epic end game.

John Hemry known more commonly by his fans via the pen name Jack Campbell, is an American Sci-Fi Author. With twenty-eight novels, twenty-nine short fiction works and 6 non-fiction works published as of late early 2017 he is also quite well known. Campbells first novel Stark’s War was published in April of 2000 however his earliest short-fiction, One Small Spin was published in 1997. Campbell’s Non-Fiction Interstellar Navigation, published 2000, was his first venture into the genre. A retired U.S. navy officer Campbell even speaks some Russian.

Master Mechanic Mari and Mage Alain have survived every attempt to stop them, but their enemies are determined to kill Mari, the only one who can save her world from a storm of destruction.
As armies begin to gather and cities seethe with tension, Mari, Alain, and their friends must prepare to confront the storm in the place it first appeared: the broken kingdom of Tiae.
The dangers facing them demand perilous raids, tough battles, and more than a little piracy. Beating the Mechanics Guild and the Mage Guild that have controlled the world of Dematr for centuries will require an unprecedented alliance under Mari's command of rebellious Mechanics, Mages, and common folk who know that together they can change the world, but separately they will all lose.

​The fourth book in The Pillars of Reality series was written for Audible and originally published by Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio but has since become available in both e-book and paperback formats. The Pirates of Pacta Servanda is part of a six-part series written by Jack Campbell. The novels unique mixture of Fantasy and Science Fiction work to create an interesting story for the New Adult audience. Mari and Alain, fleeing their enemies must travel to the broken kingdom of Tiae. On the way, they must earn the trust of pirates, face formidable foes and attempt to stop the storm that threatens Dematr.
Mari’s character development throughout this novel was done spectacularly. The new characters introduced in this installment are engaging and interesting, even the most minor characters are relatable and thought provoking. Mari and Alain return in the new addition to The Pillars of Reality series to battle the Great Guilds, and evade the dark mages and dark mechanics that seek their deaths. The novel continues the person vs self and person vs society conflicts established in the other novels. The Pirates of Pacta Servanda does an excellent job of combining Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance and Steampunk into a New Adult novel. There are also plenty of life lessons scattered throughout both the book and its series. Through their trials and tribulations Mari and Alain teach the reader that respect is earned and definitely something worth working for. The character chemistry throughout this novel was very consistent and a bit more intense, since this book begins tug the series towards darker themes.
Overall the character development and world building was excellent throughout the entirety of the novel. The battle scenes gradually evolve to a more mature style of writing as the novel progresses and become a bit more serious. The fourth book fills in some gaps in the storyline and introduces brand new fun characters that the reader will relate too. The pirate-like adventure with swords, theft, and assassins was by far my favorite part. I would definitely recommend this novel to teens and Science Fiction fans.

​John Hemry known more commonly by his fans via the pen name Jack Campbell, is an American Sci-Fi Author. With twenty-eight novels, twenty-nine short fiction works and 6 non-fiction works published as of late early 2017 he is also quite well known. Campbell's first novel Stark’s War was published in April of 2000 however his earliest short-fiction, One Small Spin was published in 1997. Campbell’s Non-Fiction Interstellar Navigation, published 2000, was his first venture into the genre. A retired U.S. navy officer Campbell even speaks some Russian.

Trapped within the dead city of Marandur, Master Mechanic Mari and Mage Alain must escape both merciless barbarians and the pitiless Imperial Legion. Beyond those dangers lie the mightiest and most unforgiving powers in the world of Dematr: the Great Guilds that rule the world with iron fists.
Mari's Mechanics Guild and Alain's Mage Guild have always been enemies, but they are united in wanting to kill their rogue members before Mari can fulfill the ancient prophecy of being the one who will finally overthrow their power. Mari and Alain must risk those dangers because halfway across their world lies a place where truth has long been hidden. A place that could explain why their world's history begins abruptly, with no hints of what came before. A place where they might learn how the Mechanics Guild came to control all technology and how the Mages manage to alter reality temporarily. A place that might tell them how to achieve a task that appears to be impossible.
​Never before have a Mage and a Mechanic worked together, and their combined talents offer their only hope. But she and Alain must first survive the deadly and implacable Assassins of Altis.

​The Assassins of Altis is one of many books written by Jack Campbell. The novel was originally published by Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio but has since become available in e-book and paperback formats. It is the third book in the six-part series, The Pillars of Reality and the sequel to The Hidden Masters of Marandur. Campbell is wonderful at creating interesting and unique action sequences in his books and this was no exception. The third book picks up where the second left off with Mari and Alain being hunted by their enemies and trying to escape the dead city of Marandur.
The character building in this book was spectacular especially for the beautiful Mage Aja. Alain with Mari and Alain the reader is introduced to some new mages and mechanics. New foes are introduced in this novel as well. I really enjoyed the hilarious dialogue in this installment of The Pillars of Reality. The Assassins of Altis continues with both a person vs self and a person vs society conflict. Like its two sequels The Assassins of Altis is a combination of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comedy and Romance written for a New Adult audience. The character chemistry is well done throughout the book. Mari and Alain teach the reader that anyone can change and that sometimes change is necessary to grow.
The dialogue between Mari and her peers is engaging, especially in this installment that combined with the all-around fascinating story makes for a book the reader will not be able to put down. The third book is original and interesting. It is action packed and suspenseful while still able to establish funny or serious scenes when it is appropriate. My favorite part of this novel was by far Mari and Aja’s interactions, it was interesting to watch Mari gain allies and friends throughout the story.

Someone wants to kill Mari, a young steam mechanic in the guild that controls all technology. She has learned that her world of Dematr is headed for a catastrophe that will destroy civilization and that mages really can alter reality for short periods. Someone also wants to kill Alain, a young mage who has learned that mechanics are not frauds, as his guild teaches, and that mechanic Mari is the only person who can prevent the oncoming disaster.
Narrowly escaping death, the mechanic and the mage stay alive thanks to their combined skills, an alliance never before seen. But it becomes clear that both of their guilds, the most powerful forces in the world, are trying to destroy them. Other powers, like the great empire and a mysterious secret order, also seek to kill or capture them using every weapon from imperial legions to mage-created trolls, dragons, and rocs.
Trying to survive and learn the truth about their world so they will know how to save it, Mari and Alain realize the answers they seek may lie in the dead city of Marandur. But Marandur is guarded by the legions that have sealed it off from the rest of the world for more than a century. Mari and Alain's only hope may rest with the unseen masters of Marandur.

Originally published by Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio and available in audio, print and ebook formats, this book is the second of six books. and written by Jack Campbell, The Hidden Masters Marandur is a compelling work of fiction. It is the second book in the Pillars of Reality series is made up six books, beginning with The Dragons of Dorcastle and concluding with The Wrath of the Great Guilds. In my opinion The Hidden Masters of Marandur is a unique novel in that it has a very peculiar twist towards the end of the novel. Fantasy, magic and steampunk combine in this Science Fiction novel to create an epic story about friendship and adventure.
Among many other things (this is a weak and unnecessary opening statement), what really pulled me into the story for the duration of this novel was the character chemistry. I loved the detail with which the author brought the world and characters to life. Master Mechanic Mari and Mage Alain return to the spotlight as they explore uncharted territory in both their relationship and their world in their second adventure. While both teens search for answers, they are both hunted by the Great Guilds who seek their undoing. The second installment to The Pillars of Reality explores both a person vs. self, conflict as well as a person vs. society conflict, as the character’s struggle with their morals and society’s standards. The Hidden Masters of Marandur combines the magic of Fantasy, the genius behind Science Fiction and the comedic dialogue of Satire. The end result is funny and alluring to New adult readers. Mari and Alain’s grand adventure in this novel will teach readers to never give up and to always work hard in order to reach their goals. 
​The Hidden Masters of Marandur continues the interesting approach to the New Adult, Science Fiction and Fantasy writing established in the initial book in the series . It is perfectly suited for its audience with its laugh out loud humor and interesting world. The sequel to The Dragons of Dorcastle and the second of six books; The Hidden Masters of Marandur introduces the series’ main conflicts and explores the world of Dematr. After finishing the novel, my favorite part of this engaging book is the friendship between Mari and Alain. Both characters create an unformidable team that shows how truly amazing having a friend can be.